BALINESE CULTURE

Balinese is the people live on the island of Bali, Nusa Lembongan Nusa Ceningan and Nusa Penida. There are many Balinese live on other parts of Indonesia, to mention the biggest groups are west Lombok, Lampung, Sulawesi, Sumbawa and others spread on the archipelago. For those outside Bali island are not specifically included in this writing as they have a bit changes in their daily life, although still speaks and follows their ancestors tradition. Today Balinese who live on the Island of Bali plus 3 small islands above is estimated to have reached 3 millions, more precisely according to Provincial Bureau of Information and Telematic records of 2003 the total is 3.351.353, spread over 9 kabupatens and city. A 1.45% growth rate per year is counted in the span between 1961 through 2003, with the lowest at Kabupaten Gianyar at 0.69%. The distribution between rural and urban showing steady changes over the years which is in 2003 showing almost balance rural 52.15% and urban 47.85%

Balinese speaks bahasa Bali, a variation of west malay dialect showing close resemblance with Javanese and Sundanese. The resemblance is not because of political history as proved by various ancient documents and todays shellfish society such as Baduy people. Balinese language introduces further variation based on social layer known as castes. political history of Bali has probably formed specific character of the society that manifested quiet different from the rest of Indonesian who ever with the same kingdom during 13 - 16th century and colonization of Dutch from 17th century until independence in 1945, except Bali start to enter colonization in 1906.

Balinese is the only people of the archipelago that consistent with their ancestor's ideal, while others have converted into Islam of Christian. This belief is basically Hindu from India mixed with local original heritage which born quiet different concept compared to what happed with it's birth land in India. The Hindu in Bali is known as Hindu Dharma which counts 99% of the total population. In the life of religion Balinese showing great tolerance and pluralistic character as it is also reflected in religious life, although in large part of it practiced on ritual aspects. Within the practice of ritual itself there are various interpretations having going on for decades without dot of conflict, except when an interpretation endangered life of people do it will be considered criminal instead of religious practice.

Politically Bali can be periodisized as Ancient Bali from 882 AD to 1345 AD when Bali was ruled by Balinese king with the royal name of Warmadewa dynasty, from 1345 to 1651 when Bali was ruled by Great Majapahit kingdom ruled by Majapahit official of Sri Kresna Kepakisan with the royal name Dewa Agung, and around end of 17th century until 1945 kingdom of Bali broken into at least 10 small kingdoms each ruled by king's Baudanda ( region controller seat in the palace ). Among those Baudandas are king's families and from the army head ( Arya ) with the royal name I Gusti Agung, and after the colonization of Bali I Gusti Agung or I Gusti Ngurah Agung title changed by the Dutch with Anak Agung or Cokorda, which is still used until today. Some of king's families ruling until independence also given the royal title as Anak Agung, while king of Bali was called Sesuhunan. The breakage of Bali into small kingdoms also arising big number of temples, deriving the concept of main Bali kingdom under I Dewa Agung with 3 main temples that are temple built on the beach, in the town and on the mountain ( Bali : Segara - Jagatnatha - Gunung ). Each small kingdom also created this 3 temples to be considered the same level to Bali main kingdom. At the lowest social unit called Desa Adat also created 3 temples called tri kahayangan correlated with 3 manifestations of god as creator - controller - deconstructor known as tri-murti. After independence these 9 kingdoms are changed into Kabupaten administration under the Province government.

Among Balinese identified themselves as belong to certain class or lineage, and family ( more correctly Dadia ). The self identification on class is known as kasta ( caste ) and this has the connection with political history. The largest part of Balinese according to caste is the Sudra or common people ( Bali : Jaba ). Among the Jaba can be found lineages such as Pasek, Pande, and Dukuh. Within these lineages also identified themselves for example Pasek, here are Pasek Bendesa considered the lineage of local leader, and other Pasek are based on their loving location such as Pasek Gelgel those develop and living in Gelgel, and others bring in total 7 lineages. With unknown reason one connected the 7 lineages of Pasek into 7 priests known as Sanak Sapta Rsi which is reflected by the Padharman temple at Besakih temple.

 Regardless of the variation of Balinese by castes or lineages, social organization traditionally shows a strong affinity crossing the lines. Before independence formal organization by the king and its subordinates up the lowest called Perbekel was coordinating with autonomous organization called Desa under the head of Bendesa from Pasek lineage. A Desa covered smaller unit of organization called Banjar, headed by a Klian. But during the annexation of Bali into great Majapahit kingdom the status of Desa has a bit changes a Desa was the lowest seat of official of the king and the Bendesa role was deprived out left only on the affair of local customs and religion not to the government line. And the head of the Desa henceforth is called Perbekel. It was not rare that a perbekel is assigned from king or high official families and this condition continued until independence except of the Desas known as Bali Age such as Trunyan, Sembiran, Tenganan, Pedawa, Sidatapa, and some Desas on North Bali. After independence the the status of Desa is changed into the official of government with remain the same name of the job, and the Bendesa some changed into Klian Adat manage autonomous region relating to social, religious and areal administration. The government of Indonesia established the official of Klian Banjar or Kepala Dusun at the level of this Desa ( we called Desa Adat to avoid mixture with Desa headed by Perbekel). The Klian Adat in many Desa Adats is divided into two jobs, one is the Klian Banjar and the other one is the Klian Desa. Both klians are worked together in a Desa Adat to undertake the autonomous administration, one task is in accordance with the administration of Indonesian government coordinating with Kepala Dusun, and the other is belong to the tradition. Within Desa Adat can be found various officials such as relating to the job of temple rituals, death rituals, human circle life rituals, people status relating to the right and obligation within the Desa, treasury, security, communicator, and secretary. For communication beside assigning a person also using traditional bell called kulkul Besides the officials there are also various informal organizations to meet the need of various affairs called Sekeha, such as Young Association, Subak Organization, Sekeha Gong ( music ), Sekeha tari ( dance ), and others.
 

The pattern of settlement is reflected in the unit of houses forming larger group of Banjar, a unit of houses, often referred as house compound consist of at least 3 pavilions plus one complex of family temple. One house compound is for 1 family and if a family has more then 1 sons, and all have married, only the youngest married son will remain with parents while others will build new house compounds. This type of architecture only built on low land areas where water for irrigation is available, while at most highland Banjars the settlement pattern is different. Today the architecture of house compound has been very rare only some Banjars still keep the old tradition among those economically cable. It is in this family houses Balinese from conception until death conducting ritual relating to the human life which is anthropologists refer as life circle rites. This type of ritual is very clear the influence of Indian Samskara which for Indian has been discarded hundred of years ago. Among those rites well known are marriage ceremony and death ceremony called Ngaben.

The rituals are always adorned with art, from carving, painting, dance and music. The fertility of art also has the root in Hindu concept, that worshipping god can also with voluntarily work ( Bali : bhakti marga ). An artist can offer his/her profession to the temple such as carving or painting the temple, dancing or playing music during temple ceremony, and others. Biggest part of ritual consist of arranging complicated offering called Banten, made of various cookies and art of palm leaves.
 

The life of art, health, organization and others got an influence from ever living Tantric school which can be observed during the presentation of Barong dance, priest or pedanda during praying using hand gestures called mudra. In the field of health the role of traditional healer is still considered part of the life, as the myth of disease coming from magic practice such as the leak is still being considered when after modern medicament found to fail.

English With Fun

Teaching English in primary schools is also easy to say it says well. Why is this so?

Most teachers who teaching English in primary schools in the conventional manner. The teacher explained that students are listening and watching. The teacher writes the students were copying the book. What teaching models such as these will be retained in the absence of revolution, innovation and creativity of teachers? As a teacher we should be able to deliver material in a way or method that is packed sedimikian way that the material can be conveyed to the students in a fun and well received by children. We both submit material but the method we use is different then different reactions / responses and the resulting output. Teachers are more creative and innovative will always be in front and always give encouragement to their students to get ahead.

So that the activities of learning English in the classroom fun and not monotonous so the first pengampu English teacher should always cheerful and enthusiastic. Why do I say this? The answer is because a person's enthusiasm will be contagious to others nearby. If our spirit, enthusiastic, cheerful and smiling to our students then we are also his students responded with enthusiasm as well. Another case when we get new classrooms have been feeling lazy and mrengut, this will affect children as well. So an elementary school English teachers have always been enthusiastic and passion in teaching.

The second, Get used to always use the phrase or sentence or expression command in English. When we used to use simple sentences in the form of a command or commands to our students so that means we also teach the child to get used to hear and speak simple English sentences. A repetition, habituation or scaffolding talk or action is also called a language or language accompanying the accompanying measures will give children the skills to listen and speak and do the action in accordance with the commands that are recited by the teacher. This means that language not only as a mere theory, grammar-oriented languages ​​are not alone but instead a language that is most important is its application in daily life. In addition, by using a phrase / sentence English is interesting and a challenge for our students.

The third, Teaching English can be done with media and game songs (Songs and games). Or also function as a complement or as a means of building on the spirit of students returning to learn. An elementary school English teacher is required to be able to sing children's songs in English. There is no shame and no words can. All can be learned. In addition there are also songs games or games that can be used in teaching English. Kids songs in English to train the children to listen and sing or recite it correctly. Should fit the theme song sung by the material being studied. For example if the material being studied is about the Number, then the teacher can give the song a isisnya on Number. No less interesting and important is the game, a game or games of children to be entertained, while playing a child's learning. Because that world is a world of elementary school children to play. Examples of games or games that can be played is a spider web, cards, guessing competition, competitions and so on. While children play games can be inserted questions in English. in the atmosphere of playing children in applying increasingly challenged in English, thus indirectly children learn language in a way that is not boring. If teachers lack the vocabulary or the bank of songs and games, do not be discouraged because with the first information technology advances, we can use the internet medium. On the internet spread a variety of songs and games that can be used.

The fourth is, that teaching and learning English, not only in the classroom alone. A teacher of creative and innovative, then at certain times of the teachers can teach and invite children to come out. teachers can go to court, to the school yard or on plantations, or in the neighborhood around the school, and so forth. Usually the material in question or theme being studied. Suppose the material is about plants, flowers and plants, it will be very helpful if teachers can invite children to directly see the object being studied outside the classroom. In this way the children feel happy and not bored or monotonous, because the learning is done outside the classroom. If the child is happy then the matter will be easily accepted by children.

A fifth, take advantage of electronic media and images available. The definition of electronic media here was a teacher can make use of computers, radios, tape, vcd player, cell phone pictures and so on to support teaching and learning English. Usually the child will quickly receive a lesson with the help of electronic media, because there the child can listen and view audio visual. Moreover, it can avoid burnout and boredom.So little tips that I can share with friends, may be useful.

Astungkara :)